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Confused about some verses and Hadith - need guidance, please

As-salamu alaykum. I’ve been thinking a lot and could use some honest, gentle advice. I was born Muslim but only really started trying to practice at 15. It’s been up and down, but Alhamdulillah for the good parts. Last week I went through a period of doubt and actually left practicing. I told myself I wouldn’t go back, but in the last day or two I’ve felt pulled towards Islam again and now I’m feeling torn. I want to return because Islam influenced my whole life - discipline, routines, faith - yet some things keep bothering me. I’ll list them so I’m clear: 1) There’s a narration in Sahih al-Bukhari about Shaytan spending the night in a person’s nose. It sounds strange and not very logical to me. How should I understand such descriptions without feeling they contradict reason? 2) The idea of “72 virgins” in paradise. Why would Allah describe reward in that way? It feels like it sexualizes paradise for men and focuses on lust, which troubles me. 3) The verse in An-Nisa about men disciplining their wives as a last resort. The Quran also instructs kindness to spouses, so it seems contradictory. How do scholars reconcile the guidance that says not to be harsh with the part some translate as permitting a light physical reprimand? 4) A hadith about mixing camel urine with milk as medicine. To me that sounds unhealthy and odd. How should we treat medical advice in some early narrations versus modern medical knowledge? 5) I saw a claim online that some hadiths permit sexual relations with female prisoners of war. That scared me and felt very wrong. Is that an accurate understanding, and if not, what’s the right context? 6) Why is cousin marriage allowed in Islam? I know it’s culturally common in some places and unacceptable in others, but I’m wondering about the reasoning and whether it’s encouraged or simply permitted. Also, I live in the UK and the social context here is complicated for Muslims - dawah bros and community pressures are real. I don’t want disrespect; I just need honest, kind explanation that fits both faith and reason. If anyone can point to reliable explanations, context from scholars, or ways to reconcile these issues that helped you come back to practice, I’d really appreciate it. Jazakum Allah khair.

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Salam brother, I had similar doubts. For weird narrations, scholars often say some are metaphorical or weakly reported. Don’t be ashamed to ask for isnad and context before taking them literally.

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If you’re pulled back, take it slow. Find a compassionate scholar or imam who respects reason, not the loud dawah types. Personal experience + good sources helped me believe again.

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Cousin marriage: islam permits it but doesn’t push it as superior. It was socially normal historically; medical genetics is now a factor, so many advise caution or testing if families practice it.

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I’d recommend starting with books on usul al-fiqh and hadith authentication so you can judge reports yourself. Also therapy or a support group helped me process doubts without pressure.

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I felt the same about the 72 thing. Many say it’s metaphorical reward language, reflecting ideas of the time, not a literal menu. Focus on spiritual descriptions instead of crude readings.

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Don’t let one confusing line ruin the whole faith. Context, language, and historical setting matter a lot. Look for reputable tafsir, and ask scholars who know Arabic and hadith sciences.

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Prisoners of war topic: read classical context and rules about dignity and consent. A lot of modern scholars reject any justification for abuse and stress humane treatment; the old rulings aren’t carte blanche.

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Camel urine hadiths are really debated. Historically they were tried as remedies, but modern medicine overrides that. Islam doesn’t force you to use outdated practices if evidence contradicts them.

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About the wife discipline verse: mainstream tafsir stresses steps-talk, separate, then that controversial word often read as symbolic or very restricted. Plenty of scholars emphasise compassion first.

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